MUSIC
LEVEL 3: AS LEVEL
EXAMINING BOARD: EDUCAS
According to the World Economic Forum, creativity is one of the most important and in-demand skills desired by employers. Therefore, the study of creative subjects, like Music, can help you to succeed across a range of careers.
This one-year course can be added to your Study Programme in Year 1 or 2 to boost your skills and earn you an additional qualification.
This course is aimed at musicians who want to increase their theoretical and academic knowledge of music. It is well suited for those who already read music, play an instrument or sing.
Huish has an excellent variety of Music EnRICH groups to join and you will also have the chance to go on trips to see world-class concerts and performances.
You will be taught in our Aspen Music Centre which was purpose-built for the teaching of Music and features state-of-the-art recording and technology equipment. You can find out more about our facilities on our Music EnRICH page and on our 360º virtual tour.
The course is comprised of three units; performing, composing and understanding.
You will have frequent performance opportunities, study set works and music theory, and develop listening and composition skills.
This course can only be studied as an additional subject to your core Study Programme of 3 A Levels/Extended Certificates, or an Extended Diploma.
We only recommend considering adding AS qualifications to your Study Programme if you have a high GCSE grade profile.
This is to ensure the challenge of an additional subject does not prevent you from achieving your best in your core Study Programme and that you enjoy your experience at Huish.
If you are unsure if an additional qualification may be too demanding for you then do not worry, we can discuss this with you at your advice and guidance meeting following your application.
It is recommended you have a GCSE Music grade 5 or above, or the ability to read music and play an instrument/sing at approximately grade 5 standard.
It is expected that you will be involved in some Music EnRICH activities.
The course is assessed by coursework (worth 60% of your grade) and an exam (worth 40%).
The first part of your coursework is a solo performance (worth 30%). The second part is composition portfolio (worth 30%),.
For the exam you will answer listening and essay questions on three areas of study; Western Classical Tradition, Rock & Pop 1960-2000, and Into the 20th Century.
Adding this qualification to your Study Programme will boost your UCAS tariff points total. When universities offer places, they will tell you how many UCAS points are required for your course at their institution.
Possible careers following this course include Performer, Composer, Teacher, Therapist, Journalist, Administrator or Sound Engineer.
Former Music students have gone on to top music colleges and universities around the country, to military music schools and to work in teaching, performing and other roles in the music industry.
In 2022, two Music students progressed to Oxford University to continue their Music studies.
What if I don’t read music?
There are online courses to increase your theory skills over the summer before starting Huish, or you may be better suited to one of our Vocational Music courses.
If I haven’t taken GCSE Music, can I still take this course?
Although GCSE Music is a helpful foundation for AS Level Music, it’s not vital.